Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, the capital of Sakhalin Region with a population of 180,000 people is located on the banks of the Susuya River, in the south part of Sakhalin Island. It is a plesant city, an administrative and cultural center of the region.

HistoryThe history of the city is very interesting. Since 1858 Sakhalin became a place of exile for prisoners from different parts of the country. It was the legal requirement saying that they stay on the island after serving their sentence. This is how the village of Vladimirovka was founded in 1881. By XIX century Vladimirovka became a very prosperous village. In 1905 the southern part of the island was occupied by Japanese troops. Vladimirovka became the center of Japanese province Karafuto and received the name of Toyohara. From 1905 till 1945 people lived under Japanese rule and the village was called Toyohara. By 1940s Toyohara was quite a big town with a population of 40,000 people, developed industries, railroad, airport, schools, cultural attractions, museum and private residence of Karafuto Governor. In 1945 it became the part of Russia again and was renamed Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in 1946. Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk became the official capital of Sakhalin Island.

Places To SeeThe Regional Museum. The Regional Museum houses interesting displays dedicated to the region’s geography, volcanoes, earthquakes, natural resources, flora and fauna as well as some rare exhibits of the history and culture of the indigenous peoples of Sakhalin: ains, oroks, nivhs and others. There are special exhibitions on Sakhalin Exile, Chekhov in Sakhalin, Koreans of Sakhalin etc.